Ten NFL combine takeaways, with a Detroit Lions slant

With free agency this week, Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett lets you in on what Lions may be thinking and drops hints on what they might do this week and in April's NFL draft. Recorded Sunday, March 5, 2017. Video by Dave Birkett, DFP.

Former Michigan State defensive lineman Malik McDowell participates in a drill during the NFL combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 5, 2017 in Indianapolis.(Photo: Joe Robbins, Getty Images)

My ninth NFL scouting combine is in the books and as anyone who has been to Indianapolis knows, there's plenty of intel to be gained from the restaurants and bars of the great city of Indianapolis. Here are 10 takeaways from this year's combine:

• Let's start with free agency first, where there will be some crazy money thrown around. I spent a lot of time asking about the offensive line and cornerback markets because both are germane to the Lions. Larry Warford should cash in as one of the three best guards on the market. Charles Robinson from Yahoo reported his contract will land in the $8 million a year range and I wouldn't be surprised if it went a tick higher than that. Kevin Zeitler, T.J. Lang and Ron Leary from the Cowboys also promise to get big money. The Lions are still in negotiations with both Warford and right tackle Riley Reiff.

• The Lions have shown interest in two top-of-the-market players, linebacker Dont'a Hightower of the New England Patriots and right tackle Ricky Wagner of the Baltimore Ravens. Both players could set new contractual standards for their positions, and as much as the Lions like both players, it doesn't sound like they'll be quite as motivated to get deals done at those prices ($12 million-plus for Hightower, $8 million-plus for Wagner) as some other teams.

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With free agency starting, we've cobbled together 37 of the best 2017 NFL free agents, with statistics and more. All players are unrestricted unless noted. Listed age is at Week 1 of the 2017 season. Let's go ... Billy Hurst, AP

• As was the case last year, the Lions are keeping their options open on players at a number of positions across the board. If you remember, general manager Bob Quinn or someone else in the Lions' front office reached out to the representatives for dozens of players at the start of free agency last year. That'll be the same case Tuesday, but as always contact doesn't mean a deal is going to happen. The Lions like to check in, see how a market is developing and make sure they get the help they need at the right price.

• One position I don't expect the Lions to spend any capital in free agency is running back. Both Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick are returning from season-ending surgeries and have legitimate health concerns. But the better bet is the Lions address the position with a mid- or late-round draft choice. It's an incredibly deep draft at running back, and while the Abdullah-Riddick-Zach Zenner trio isn't causing any defensive coordinators to lose sleep, plenty of teams are in worse shape.

• For everyone expecting the Lions to draft a big running back, I'm not sure that'll be the case. The biggest health concerns seem to be with Abdullah, the team's second-round pick from 2015. Abdullah had shoulder surgery after his rookie season and foot surgery last year. Zenner is entering a contract year, so drafting a bigger back makes sense. But the Lions need someone with game-breaking potential at the position as insurance for Abdullah.

• One player who I'd be stunned if the Lions draft is Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon. I know Quinn said he was going to "leave the door open on Joe," and I know various reports said Mixon could come off the board on Day 2. But I heard nothing but concern from people about Mixon, and I have a hard time seeing Lions owner Martha Ford signing off on a Mixon draft pick. Quinn was 100% right that Mixon should have been in Indy for the combine, and I have no problem with Quinn keeping him on his board for now. But it would be a huge mistake for the Lions to take him in April's draft.

• Another player who I'd be surprised to see in a Lions uniform is Michigan State defensive tackle Malik McDowell. Two scouts told me McDowell bombed on his combine interviews for refusing to accept responsibility for his poor season. McDowell might ultimately be too talented to last until Round 2, but his motivation and work ethic will scare some teams off.

• On the flip side, Michigan's Jabrill Peppers should find a home somewhere in the first round. Scouts aren't completely sold on him as a player, but the consensus is he's too valuable of a chess piece for teams to let slide into the Friday of the draft.

Former West Georgia defensive end Dylan Donahue (13) and Former Michigan defensive lineman Ryan Glasgow (16) stretch before running the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Indianapolis. David J. Phillip, AP

OL Ben Braden. Projected round: 6-7. His invitation to the combine was a surprise to many who figured Magnuson and Kalis had higher profiles. But he validated it, running a 5.04-40-yard dash at 329 pounds and posting a 28-inch vertical. He can play guard and tackle. Clearly some teams were interested enough to get a closer look in Feb. Maybe the interest continues late in the draft. Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports

• Three players who helped their draft stock with impressive weekends in Indy: Kansas State DE Jordan Willis with a lightning quick 10-yard split in the 40; Ohio State CB Gareon Conley with an impressive workout Monday; and Utah OT Garrett Boles, who might have cemented a spot in the first round with a good weekend overall.

• Three players who raised concerns with their weekends in Indy: Florida CB Teez Tabor because of a slow 40 time in the 4.6s; Alabama LB Reuben Foster, because he got sent home reportedly for arguing with a hospital worker (though his draft stock shouldn't be affected); and Texas RB D'Onta Foreman, who didn't work out because of a stress fracture in his foot and weighed a lighter than expected 233 pounds.